212 THE entomologist's record. 



12. — Towards the end of August a careful examination of the 

 leaves of Artemida vuhjaris, growing on hedge-banks, will most prob- 

 ably result in some being found to have an inflated bladder-like 

 appearance. This is the work of the larva of Grmilaria tmiissdla. If 

 the larva is of a rich crimson colour, it is full-fed and about to quit 

 its mine to form its silken cocoon. 



13. — Throughout the month of August the larvffi of P/ii/llocnistis 

 su/f'tisdla may be found mining the leaves of various poplars ; not con- 

 fining themselves to British species. The mines are very likely to be 

 passed by, as they have a very strong resemblance to the slimy track 

 left by a slug in crawling over a leaf. 



:^OTES ON LIFE^TsTORTeS, LARY^, &c. 



Notes on the larva of Cnethocampa pityocampa. — A batch of 

 larvte of this insect was received from Mr. Tutt on April 3rd, which he 

 had taken on March 30th, on a pine tree, in the woods at Carqueiranne. 

 This, I understand, was one of the very few nests observed containing 

 larv;e, although empty nests were in great numbers, and some of the 

 young pines nearly stripped by the voracious larvae that had by this 

 time disappeared. They were evidently nearly lull-fed and seemed 

 very lethargic in their nature, except upon particular occasions, when a 

 very curious action would be indulged in. In length the larva is IJin. 

 long, the head large and very lobed in shape, of a dark brown 

 reticulated surface, being also slightly, though sharply, cleft down the 

 centre. In shape the larva is not unlike that of Lasiocanipa qnercus, 

 though smaller. The head is slightly less in size than the prothoracic 

 segment, after which each segment increases in bulk to the fourth 

 abdominal one, and from there tapers gradually in form to the anal 

 end. Each segment is sharply incised with a jet black band around 

 the body to spiracular line. On each segment is an elongated dorsal 

 patch of short, hairy tufts, chestnut in colour, with a central patch of 

 deep sienna, again containing a lighter central transverse line of 

 chestnut. A subdorsal row of light yellowish tufts exists for the full 

 length. Below this, on each segment, is an elongated patch to the 

 spiracular line, of short light hair with a black elongated centre, con- 

 taining, near its anterior edge, a red tubercle, set with short stitt' and 

 white hairs. The spiracular line is Heshy and projecting, and set 

 thickly with light hair, showing a reddish tendency at each spiracle. 

 These hairs are all directed downwards. The spiracles, which just 

 rest on the spiracular line, are black, set in a white ring. Underneath 

 each is a pink, fleshy tubercle, with white hairs ; and underneath this 

 again a similar tubercle on the skinfold of the side of the ventral 

 region, which is glaucous-green in colour. The claspers are light, 

 raw sienna coloured, and shining, with a ring of stout, dark set^e 

 round the feet, which are light yellowish -grey. The larva is very 

 clinging in its hold, and is continually spinning a line when on the 

 move. The examples under observation spent their time almost 

 exclusively clinging together on a web amongst the pine-needles, and 

 fed very little. Allusion has been made to a peculiar action which 

 was resorted to occasionally. It is rather difficult to describe, but 

 it consisted of a lateral movement efi'ected by the first six seg- 

 ments, which were elevated, while the larva clung to the web with its 

 claspers. The movement was a sharp series of infinitely short jerks, 



